Supporters
Getting ATKOMA up and running required help from many passionate individuals and groups. We are thankful to have such helpful, productive supporters that have turned our dream of putting Ataúro on the map into a reality.
The establishment and initial activities were supported by BOSS Project (IADE/ILO) with funding from Irish Aid and New Zealand Aid. Since the initial activities were developed, we have received support from a number of other groups, including:
The Timor-Leste Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, and Industry
The Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, and Industry is the central government body responsible for the design, execution, coordination and assessment of the policy defined and approved by the Council of Ministers for the areas of tourism, arts and culture.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is the government department responsible for the development of the rural sector in Timor-Leste. Approximately 75 percent of the population live in rural areas; the majority of which derive their livelihoods from agriculture. Despite the importance of the sector, and significant investments made by successive governments, the sector’s performance has been mixed and productivity levels remain low. The ministry therefore works to develop a sustainable, competitive and prosperous agricultural sector that can reduce poverty, ensure food and nutrition security, and promote employment and economic growth in the agricultural sector.
USAID’s Tourism for All Project
In March 2017, Timor-Leste enacted its national tourism policy, which calls for sustainable environmental development while increasing tourist visits and improving local and national economic opportunities. Through USAID’s Tourism for All Project, Timor-Leste is realizing its goal of becoming a tourist destination that brings 200,000 foreign tourists annually by 2030. Doing so requires an inclusive and sustainable approach that preserves the country’s unique environmental and cultural heritage. Working in partnership with the Department of Tourism, the activity emphasizes public and private cooperation and works to improve the tourism workforce, which the government estimates is now only about 4,300 people. As investment in ecotourism and community-based tourism grows, Timor-Leste will emerge as a tourist destination for those seeking adventure, culture, and natural beauty.
